I don't wear most of the shit like this, with the exception of liking some thin clothes for summer wear and layering. I layer in winter because my house heats unevenly, and it's more convenient to take off or put on a layer than to hike back to the bedroom and change everything.
So here's what you can do about the nonsense that is modern fashion:
1) First, ignore all the stores that focus on fashion. That will cut out about 80-90% of places you'd waste your time, depending on where you live. In fact, forget about fashion: when you find something you like, buy several so you'll have it after it goes out of fashion.
2) Now look for stores that cater to women who need practical clothes. Farm stores are awesome for this. So are some outdoor recreation stores. Some stores that cater to mothers are good too. Some bargain stores have clothes that are built to last.
3) Don't forget to check the men's section. Their clothes are more sensible. If you have smallish boobs, you can probably wear men's shirts. If you have smallish hips, you can probably wear men's pants. If you are big and tall, sheesh, you'll probably have an easier time finding stuff in the men's section because it is just made bigger in general. If you have an hourglass figure, don't despair: men's clothing usually has more ease and if you're willing to try on different things, you can probably find something that fits. Among the awesome things in the men's section are roomy flannel shirts, one-shape-fits-most t-shirts, plain socks, and boxer briefs that keep the thighs from rubbing together.
4) Shop thrift stores. Little fashion makes it down that far because the people who donate to charities are less likely to buy that stuff to begin with, and the more destructible garments rarely survive that long. Most of the stuff that does is durable, just somebody outgrew it in one direction or another. This is a great place to find comfortable t-shirts and sweaters. Bottoms are more of a gamble. Some places have a good selection of skirts, though.
5) Learn to sew. You can make your own clothes, or you can fix small stupid things like a too-long hem or loose buttons. Having a pattern for some basic stuff, like a pair of nice simple shorts, is really handy. If you are determined to have professional clothes that are not stupid, making your own is cheaper than hiring a seamstress, and some of the patterns are doable. Look at fashion comparison charts too -- once you've seen a dozen or so variations of necklines, sleeve shapes, etc. you can pick the ones you like best and use those.
6) You always have the option of telling the fashion manufacturers why you don't buy their crap, or when you find a good supplier, why you stick to them like glue. If enough people complain about a product field, it tends to change.
January 22 2012, 23:19:02 UTC 9 years ago
I also disagree that hiring a seamstress is more expensive than DIY, if you put any value at all on your time. Of course you'll have expect to pay first world rates for labour, but we should be expecting to do that anyway, right?
January 23 2012, 02:57:57 UTC 9 years ago
But unless you are a "standard" body size, "standard" proportions and are enamored of the crap that passes for fashion these days, those are your options for getting decent looking women's clothes that actually fit.
OTOH, supporting your local seamstress/tailor who works out of their home is not a bad thing either, IMO. Finding them is the hard part.